All-Star save 'pretty cool' for Nathan

NEW YORK — Asked before Tuesday night's All-Star Game when he would pitch, Texas closer Joe Nathan said he didn't know.

Comment

By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

recordonline.com

By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

Posted Jul. 17, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ
Posted Jul. 17, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Joe Nathan talks after getting save

On getting his first All-Star save: “Pretty cool, pretty cool, especially because it wasn't expected. It was a surprise party.''

On when he learned he was pitching the ninth: “Wh...

» Read more

X

Joe Nathan talks after getting save

On getting his first All-Star save: “Pretty cool, pretty cool, especially because it wasn't expected. It was a surprise party.''

On when he learned he was pitching the ninth: “When I was running in for the mound; that's when I found out. This is such a special moment, to give credit to a guy that has done so much in this game, a legend in the game.''

On Mariano Rivera's experience: “I'm sure (the huge ovation) was absolutely amazing for Mo. Saving it for Mo was outstanding to be able to hand the ball over to him. I'm sure he doesn't have many holds in his career. I wanted (the save), but I wanted to give it to him. This will be a trivia question somewhere down the line (he smiles), and I'm sure everybody will get it wrong. As good as this moment was, the ninth is Mariano's.''

On what he told Rivera while handing him the game ball afterward: “Congratulations.''

On the night being a highlight in Nathan's career: “I'm sure it's something I'll never forget. There are moments in this game that you remember very clearly, and this is one of them.''

On doing it near his hometown with friends and family on hand: “It's just cool to do it here in New York with family and friends, and to do it in the stadium of the team I followed growing up.''

On thinking he might pitch the eighth: “I thought I was going (to pitch) before him, if at all. I thought about that. It was 2-0 (entering the eighth) and I was thinking, 'I better not mess up. If I give up the lead and Mariano doesn't get in, I may not get out of my own city.' ''

Kevin Gleason

» Social News

NEW YORK — Asked before Tuesday night's All-Star Game when he would pitch, Texas closer Joe Nathan said he didn't know.

He probably couldn't foresee the surreal moment that unfolded hours later: Nathan, not Mariano Rivera, picked up the save by pitching a scoreless ninth inning at Citi Field in the American League's 3-0 win.

"I'm sure it's something I will never forget," said Nathan, a 1992 Pine Bush graduate. "There are moments in this game that you remember very clearly, and this is one of them."

Rivera, whom Nathan has long admired, pitched a 1-2-3 eighth. Nathan, formerly of Circleville, didn't even know he was going to pitch the ninth until the ninth.

Meanwhile, Rivera didn't mind playing Nathan's setup man for a night. Rivera pitched the eighth as a safeguard in case the National League took the lead that inning, which would have eliminated the need for a ninth-inning pitcher.

"It was a situation where you want Mariano to go into the ninth," Nathan said. "But it was outstanding to be able to hand the ball over to him after the game."

Asked about his first All-Star save, Nathan said: "Pretty cool. Especially because it wasn't expected. It was a surprise party. This was such a special moment to give credit to a guy who has done so much in this game, a legend in this game. I'm sure he doesn't have many holds in his career. This will be a trivia question somewhere down the line, and I'm sure everybody will get it wrong."

As Nathan has developed into one of the game's best closers, Rivera has come to respect him. And Nathan, who has 30 saves and a 1.36 ERA this season, didn't disappoint Mo. He struck out Matt Carpenter and Andrew McCutchen to lead off the ninth, before giving up a double to Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt. Nathan ended the game by inducing Pedro Alvarez into a pop-up to second on a 3-2 pitch with Goldschmidt on second.